The tents are being packed away and the curtain is coming down forever for “The Greatest Show on Earth.” After 146 years, the Ringling Bros. Circus is closing.
.@RinglingBros will hold its final performances in May of this year. Details: https://t.co/Z4iQLxI0Sh #RinglingBros
— Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (@Ringling) January 15, 2017
The reasons for the show coming to a close included high operating costs, declining attendance and changing public tastes. Another huge factor is pressure and mounting legal battles with animal rights advocates. The circus became an American phenomenon known for its exotic animals including elephants, lions, and tigers. Elephants had been the symbol of the circus since an Asian pachyderm named Jumbo was brought to the show in 1882. However, the long and costly legal battle with animal rights advocates forced the circus to retire its elephants last year. Ticket sales suffered as a result.
The circus will perform 30 more shows, with its last being on May 21 at the Nassau Coliseum.
PETA and Seth MacFarlane were stoked.
BREAKING: After 36 years of protests, #RinglingBros Circus will shut down in May. Thank you to all who spoke out! https://t.co/sE9GNgC8gx pic.twitter.com/iVOUu7L4Pr
— PETA (@peta) January 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/820626497836707840
Comedian Jay Mohr made jokes.
https://twitter.com/jaymohr37/status/820566677490282497
https://twitter.com/jaymohr37/status/820569343008374784
Anti-Trump individuals all had the same joke including George Takei.
After 146 yrs, Ringling Bros will close "Greatest Show on Earth." That title now goes to the daily shitshow coming from the President-elect.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 15, 2017
BREAKING: Ringling Bros circus says it is closing down, because they have been outperformed by the newest circus, the Trump administration.
— Voice of Reason (@raggapegs) January 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/MatthewKick/status/820509187381850112
Ringling Bros Circus shutting down.
Don't worry, in one week the circus will be moving to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.— Erik B (@erikbransteen) January 15, 2017
Ringling Bros Circus finally closin' after 146 years claimin' they can't compete with the clowns movin' into the White House next week.
— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) January 15, 2017
Marketing 101: Ringling Bros was mid-market brand killed by upscale competors like Cirque de Soleil, downscale knockoffs like Washington DC
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) January 15, 2017
Ann Coulter had this take.
Ringling Bros. Circus has closed. They just couldn't compete with the Democrats since the election.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 15, 2017